Mini Cassia Diggers 2011

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MINI CASSIA DIGGERS
(2011 - 2021)

Burley, Idaho
Minico High

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Named after the area beet and potato famers, the Diggers emerged as an indirect AA competitor to the AAA Magic Valley Bulldawgs franchise in 2011 which had relocated to Jerome, Idaho. The debut was competitive out of the gate as Mini Cassia was in every game during a 5-4 season. losing by just 8, 1, and 11 during the regular season. A rematch with the Idaho Falls Mustangs in the playoffs was the "worst" loss of the season by 14.

2012 began a methodical slide down the Rocky Mountain League standings before bottoming out in 2014 with a 1-6 record and season finale forfeit. In a dramatic 2015 realignment of the RMFL and fortuitous AA division of five teams, the Diggers found themselves vying for a championship with Elko and the rubber match in the balance. With a 13-6 victory in the title game, the Diggers completed the historic "worst to first" transition.

Another realignment sent the Diggers back to the middle of the pack with a 5-4 season in 2016 ending with a playoff ouster by the Billings Xtreme. This would prove to be the final appearance by Mini Cassia in the RMFL as they switched over to the local Idaho Contact League for the 2017 season.

A fresh start, some good recruiting and familiarity with Idaho opponents opened the '17 season on a 7-0 start, a franchise best. The back end of the season didn't go as well as the Diggers fell in three of the final five weeks, the Boise Oilers ending the run in the playoff semi-finals. 2018 ended in the same playoff position, this time at the hands of 4-time ICFL champion Tribe.

Another league change took place in 2019 as the Diggers and Bulldawgs, natural rivals joined the short-lived Idaho Football Alliance which began to fall apart early when the Ogden Maniax and Idaho Phoenix were unable to put stable teams together as planned. The 'Dawgs and Diggers would face each other three teams as Mini Cassia finished undefeated 7-0 champions of the IFA.

Rejoining the ICFL in 2020, the Diggers got into the fire right away with former RMFL foe and defending champion Idaho Mustangs joining as well and dealing out a 50-0 thumping to Mini Cassia to open the season. Regrouping for a 5-0 run into the playoffs including back-to-back wins over the East Idaho Wolfpack, Mini Cassia found themselves in the East Division title game against the very same Mustangs who mirrored the week one result 50-0. Brogen Thoren (DE/TE) and Aaron Johnson (DT/OT) were voted dual 1st Team All-East for both offense and defense to lead the Diggers.

The 2021 season was a .500 campaign that was ended by the Mustangs once again. In four meetings over two seasons, the score was incredibly 50-0 all four times as Idaho Falls was named the best team in the Greater Northwest four-straight seasons.

Prior to the 2022 season, the Diggers were an expected entrant into the newly minted Mountain West Football League, a reimagined version of the now defunct Rocky Mountain League. They were one of two teams that ended up folding prior to the season.

Longtime Digger Brogan Thoren was honored by the ICFL for his play from 2017 to 2021 with induction into the Idaho based-leagues' Hall of Fame. After two years away, it was announced on Facebook that the Diggers would return in 2025.

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Digger Star Brogan Thoren

2024 ICFL Hall of Fame Inductee Brogan Thoren

(2017-2021)

- NAIA All-American (Mayville State University)

- USA College Bowl NAIA All-American

- 3x RMFL All-Star

- 2010 RMFL Sacks Champion

- 2016 RMFL Defensive MVP
- 2020 ICFL Defensive MVP

- 4x ICFL All-Star

- 1x IFA All-Star

2012 Roster

Marco Avelar (WR), Justin Cyr (LB), Christian Wirth (DE), Nick Urie (QB), Brad Cook (SS), Pablo Marin (WR), Nino Olmos (WR), Ryan VerWey (QB), Louis Miramontez (K), Roman Valero (DB), Fernando Vale (LB), Shelby Mooney (WR), AJ Hunter (DB), Jesse Espinoza (WR), Tyler Adams (DB), Brian Babbitt (RB), Ron Jones (DB), Jason Dimond (LB), Carlos Paz (LB), Robert Calvin (RB), Miguel Guillen (DB), Mark Olmos (DB), Jacob Bogner (LB), Marty Munoz (LB), Todd Christiansen (RB), Roy Benavidez (OL), Kit Carney (OL), Miguel Simental (LB), Evan Cornia (OL), Sean Hughes (OL), Sonny Wilkinson (DL), Joseph Valencia (DE), Shane Steube (OL), Qwyntun Urrizaga (OL), Jayme Johnson (WR), Brogan Thoren (DE), Josh Goddard (LB), Brandon White (WR), Tim Crenshaw (FS), Bill Carney (TE), Josh Ramirez (OL), Tray Shelton (DL), Rashaad Crutchfield (DE)

2013 Roster

Carlos Paz (LB), Josh Goddard (LB), Marco Avelar (WR), Justin Cyr (OL), Stephen Valdez (TE), Jesse Espinoza (QB), Jesse Quiroz (QB), Dale Sayles (RB), Nino Olmos (WR), Luis Miramontes (SS), Jose Loya (DB), Red Carrick (WR), Moi Rice (WR), Sam Eller (WR), AJ Hunter (FS), Tyler Adams (DB), Gerriuh Nay (RB), Ron Jones (DE), Dakota Ruppard (DB), Jason Dimond (LB), Siyawash Askari (LB), Ben Morgan (RB), Miguel Guillen (DB), Mark Olmos (DB), Calvin Pruett (LB), Marty Munoz (DL), Anthony Spaziano (DE), Carlos Lopez (DB), Roy Benevidez (OL), Kit Carney (OL), Miguel Semintal (LB), Sean Hughes (OL), Robert Sonny Wilkinson (OL), Dakota Madrigal (OL), Paul Carr (OL), Chris Thomas (OL), Johnny Walker (DL), Anthony King (DL), George Sanders (WR), Brogan Thoren (LB), Tyson Carrick (WR), Skye Danse (WR), Bill Carney (TE), Tray Shelton (DL), Robert Maxfield (DL)

2014 Roster

George Sanders (WR), Jose Loya (DB), AJ Hunter (WR), Jesse Espinoza (QB), Jorden Garcia (DB), Anthony Salinas (DB), Christian Villenueva (RB), Juan Alvarado (RB), Jaime Crispin (LB), Sam Eller (WR), Nick Urie (QB), Marcus Thomas (LB), Luis Miramontes (WR), Miguel Boston Crispin (DB), Ron Jones (LB), Tristen Edwards (LB), Jason Dimond (LB), Freddie Brown (DB), Jorge Cardenas (DB), Mark Olmos (DB), Calvin Pruett (DE), Andres Larios (OL), Jonatan Valero (OL), Miguel Simental (SS), Brady Cooper (DE), Dylan Corless (RB), Angel Anguiano (DB), Fed Llanos (DB), Dakota Madrigal (OL), Oscar Gomez (LB), Daniel Rangel (DL), Michael Sermon (WR), Travis Osterhout (DB), Johnny Walker (OL), Santiago Martinez (OL), Bill Carney (TE), Robert Maxfield (OL), Jesus Guerrero (DB)

2015 Roster

AJ Hunter (QB), Jordan Sundquist (DB), Carson Hawker (WR), Anthony Salinas (DB), Marcos Rangel (DB), Oscar Chavez (RB), Angel Anguiano (WR), Juan Labra (RB), Cody Gochnour (DE), Bryan Jensen (WR), Emilio Marin (DL), Tristan Edwards (LB), Josh Ryan (DB), Geriuh Nay (RB), Jesus Juarez (RB), Mark Olmos (DB), Marty Munoz (LB), Jesse Espinoza (DB), Austin Stallings (DE), Dakota Madrigal (OL), Calvin Pruett (DL), Daniel Rangel (OL), Dylan Cortles (LB), Andres Larios (OL), Diego DeAlva (LB), Juan Armando Silvaz (DL), Victor Andrade (DE), Terry Alridge (RB), Robby Lopez (LB), Brogan Thoren (DE), Marcus Thomas (LB), John Walker (DL), Brian Hunsacker (DE), William Carney (TE), Dan Cortles (LB)

2016 Roster

Tyler Adams (DB), AJ Hunter (RB), Anthony Salinas (DB), Oscar Chavez (RB), Emilio Polanco (WR), Jordan Sundquist (DE), Dan Corless (LB), Daryn Terry (RB), Luis Miramontes (RB), Jake Nava (WR), Cody Goschnour (DL), Adrian Espinoza (DB), Marco Rangel (WR), Gerriuh Nay (LB), Brian Jensen (WR), Jason Dimond (LB), Manuel Lopez (RB), Terry Alrich (LB), Anthony Spaziano (RB), Robert Calvin (RB), Mark Olmos (DB), Christian Villanueava (RB), Marty Munoz (TE), Juan Labra (OL), Alex Salinas (LB), Austin Stallings (DL), Pete Nunes (OL), Miguel Simental (LB), Austin Tamez (FS) Dylan Corless (RB), Trent Mallory (DE), John Walker (DE), Victor Andrade (DL), Logan Hollins (OL), Dakota Madrigal (OL), Andres Larios (OL), Brandon Secondi (OL), Dallas Mort (OL), Calvin Pruett (LB), Danel Rangel (OL), Jonathan Velcro (DL), Angel Anquiano (WR), Brogan Thoren (DE), Heyden Thacker (WR), William Carney (TE), Armando Ruiz (SS)

2011
Rocky Mountain Football League AA
Record: 5-4
Sponsor Kit Carney, Todd Christiansen, Ryan Verwey
Coach

2011 Awards

Todd Christiansen (OL) 1st Team All-League
Brogan Thoren (DE) 1st Team All-League
Martin De La Pressa (LB) 2nd Team All-League

2012
Rocky Mountain Football League AA
Record: 3-5
Sponsor Kit Carney, Todd Christiansen, Ryan Verwey
Coach

2013
Rocky Mountain Football League AA
Record: 2-6
Sponsor Kit Carney, Todd Christiansen, Ryan Verwey
Coach

2014
Rocky Mountain Football League
Record: 1-6
Sponsor Kit Carney, Todd Christiansen, Ryan Verwey
Coach

2015
Rocky Mountain Football League
Record: 7-2
Sponsor Kit Carney, Todd Christiansen, Ryan Verwey
Coach

* Rocky Mountain League AA Champions *

2016
Rocky Mountain Football League
Record: 5-4
Sponsor Kit Carney, Todd Christiansen, Ryan Verwey
Coach

2016 Awards

Brogan Thoren (DE) RMFL Defensive MVP

2017
Idaho Contact Football League
Record: 8-3
Sponsor Kit Carney, Todd Christiansen, Ryan Verwey
Coach

2017 Awards

Brogan Thoren (DE) 1st Team All-League (TE) Hon Men
Gerriuh Nay (FB) 1st Team All-League
AJ Hunter (QB) 2nd Team All-League

2018
Idaho Contact Football League
Record: 4-5
Sponsor Kit Carney, Todd Christiansen, Ryan Verwey
Coach

2019
Idaho Football Alliance
Record: 7-0
Sponsor Kit Carney, Todd Christiansen, Ryan Verwey
Coach

* Idaho Football Alliance Champions *

2020
Idaho Contact Football League
Record: 5-2
Sponsor Kit Carney, Todd Christiansen, Ryan Verwey
Coach

2020 Awards

Brogan Thoren (DE) ICFL Defensive Player of the Year
Brogan Thoren (DE/TE) 1st Team All-League East
Aaron Johnson (DE/T) 1st Team All-League East
Brett Pettigrew (DT) 1st Team All-League East

2021
Idaho Contact Football League
Record: 5-5
Sponsor Kit Carney, Todd Christiansen, Ryan Verwey
Coach

2021 Awards

Brogan Thoren (DE) 1st Team All-League East
Aaron Johnson (G) 1st Team All-League East (DE) 2nd Team
Brett Pettigrew (G) 1st Team All-League East (DT) 2nd Team
Skylar Thaxton (CB) 2nd Team All-League East

2022
Mountain West Football League
Record: 0-0

*Did Not Play*

2025
Idaho Contact Football League
Record: 0-0
Sponsor Jordan Ruiz
Coach

Schedules and Results
Date	Opponent	Score
2011 Apr 9	Upper Valley Vikings	25-7
2011 Apr 23	Uintah Basin Oilers	26-12
2011 Apr 30	Bitterroot Blaze	2-10
2011 May 7	Wyoming Thunder	39-0
2011 May 14	Glacier Knights	21-12
2011 May 21	Snake River Sabercats	19-20
2011 June 4	Idaho Falls Mustangs	12-23
2011 June 11	Idaho Matadors	26-24
2011 June 18	Idaho Falls Mustangs (Playoff)	0-14


2012 Apr 7	Snake River Sabercats	21-14
2012 Apr 21	Arco Anarchy	7-24
2012 Apr 28	Gem State Guardians	49-0
2012 May 5	Boise Generals	14-40
2012 May 12	Upper Valley Vikings	7-16
2012 May 19	Idaho Falls Mustangs	13-19
2012 June 2	Idaho Matadors	3-28
2012 June 9	Upper Valley Vikings	8-6


2013 Apr 6	Gem State Guardians	14-0
2013 Apr 13	Idaho Falls Mustangs	6-22
2013 Apr 27	Idaho Matadors	14-49
2013 May 4	Idaho Lancers	40-8
2013 May 11	Magic Valley Bulldawgs	22-40
2013 June 1	Boise Generals	6-41
2013 June 8	Arco Anarchy	0-62


2014 Apr 5	Gem State Guardians	21-0
2014 Apr 19	Gallatin Valley Snow Devils	0-46
2014 Apr 26	Elko Warriors	12-18 OT
2014 May 3	Idaho Lancers	3-12
2014 May 10	Idaho Falls Mustangs	0-28
2014 May 17	Davis Vipers	0-71
2014 May 31	Gallatin Valley Snow Devils	19-20
2014 June 7	Elko Warriors	L FFT


2015 Apr 11	Wyoming Outlaws	12-0
2015 Apr 18	Uintah Basin Oilers	12-6
2015 Apr 25	Elko Warriors	12-19
2015 May 2	Gem State Guardians	38-0
2015 May 9	Wyoming Outlaws	27-20 OT
2015 May 30	Uintah Basin Oilers	22-26
2015 June 6	Elko Warriors	13-5
2015 June 13	Gem State Guardians	W FFT
2015 June 20	Uintah Basin Oilers (Playoffs)	8-6
2015 June 27	Elko Warriors (Championship)	13-6


2016 Apr 2	Flathead Monsters	7-6
2016 Apr 9	Arco Anarchy	12-0
2016 Apr 16	Logan Stampede	27-6
2016 Apr 23	Idaho Falls Mustangs	5-7
2016 Apr 30	Nevada Warriors	33-0
2016 May 7	Logan Stampede	0-16
2016 May 21	Arco Anarchy	18-42
2016 June 4	Idaho Falls Mustangs	27-10
2016 June 11	Billings Xtreme (Playoffs)	14-26


2017 Mar 25	Valley Rangers	24-6
2017 Apr 1	@ Idaho Tribe	12-6
2017 Apr 8	Treasure Valley Trojans	30-6
2017 Apr 15	Magic Valley Bulldawgs	51-0
2017 Apr 28	Canyon Phoenix	42-0
2017 May 6	Ontario Juggernauts	42-7
2017 May 13	@ Idaho Invaders	42-6
2017 May 20	@ Boise Oilers	6-10
2017 June 3	@ Gem State Guardians
2017 June 10	@ Idaho Black Tide	0-34
2017 June 17	Valley Rangers (Playoffs)	49-0
2017 June 24	@ Boise Oilers (Playoffs)	L


2018 Mar 24	Boise OIlers	0-34
2018 Apr 7	Idaho Black Tide	21-25
2018 Apr 14	Gem State Guardians	47-6
2018 Apr 28	@ Ontario Juggernauts	12-8
2018 May 5	@ Treasure Valley Trojans	20-32
2018 May 19	Magic Valley Bulldawgs	W FFT
2018 June 2	Idaho Aztecs	30-6
2018 June 9	Treasure Valley Trojans (Playoffs)	12-6
2018 June 16	@ Idaho Tribe (Playoffs)	6-30


2019 Apr 13	Gem State Guardians	63-0
2019 Apr 20	@ Idaho Phoenix	34-6
2019 Apr 27	Magic Valley Bulldawgs	33-15
2019 May 4	Ogden Maniax	Cancel
2019 May 18	@ Gem State Guardians	60-0
2019 June 1	Idaho Phoenix	W FFT
2019 June 8	@ Magic Valley Bulldawgs	56-0
2019 June 15	@ Ogden Phoenix	Cancel
2019 June 15	Magic Valley Bulldawgs **	56-0
	** IFA Championship
2019 Aug 10	East Idaho Wolfpack	35-8


2020 June 13	Idaho Falls Mustangs	0-50
2020 June 20	@ Magic Valley Bulldawgs	69-0
2020 June 27	@ Logan Stampede	32-0
2020 July 11	Sawtooth Diamondbacks	36-0
2020 July 18	@ East Idaho Wolfpack	32-20
2020 July 25	East Idaho Wolfpack (Playoffs)	48-0
2020 Aug 1	@ Idaho Falls Mustangs (Playoffs)	0-50


2021 Apr 3	East Idaho Wolfpack	40-0
2021 Apr 10	Blackfoot Bandits	14-20
2021 Apr 17	Logan Stampede	8-12
2021 Apr 24	Treasure Valley Trojan-Knights	48-14
2021 May 1	Idaho Black Tide	6-44
2021 May 8	Idaho Mustangs	0-50
2021 May 15	Blackfoot Bandits	23-14
2021 May 22	Flathead Monsters	28-25
2021 June 5	Logan Stampede (Playoffs)	12-6
2021 June 12	Idaho Mustangs (Playoffs)	0-50